mother church

noun4

1. •
   The original church of a denomination, regarded as having birthed the others.

   • The mother church of Christian Scientists is in Boston, Massachusetts.
2. •
   The original denomination or community of believers from which other denominations and communities of believers sprang.

   • The Church of England is the mother church of Anglicans around the world.
3. •
   A church with oversight over another or others, now especially a cathedral or metropolitan church.

   • Mothering Sunday arose from the custom of visiting mother churches at Mid-Lent, rather than the usual parish church.
4. •
   The Church regarded as nourishing and protecting its members.

   • Catholics regard Mary as Mother of the Church but an all-male hierarchy as the Mother Church.